Frank Minnifield, initially overlooked by NFL teams from Louisville, took an unconventional path to professional football. He began in the USFL with the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers, demonstrating early on that his 5-foot-9 stature did not hinder his ability to excel in pass defense. During contract disputes, Minnifield filed and won a lawsuit against the USFL, which nullified his contract and allowed him to sign with Cleveland as a free agent in 1984.

The Browns put him on the field right away, and Minnifield responded with an All-Rookie campaign at cornerback. Playing with an ultra-physical, press-man style, he made up for his modest stature with fiery aggression, incredible leaping ability, and a willingness to deliver bone-jarring hits on boundary receivers and ball carriers alike.

By 1986, Minnifield had become a household name, earning four consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1986 to 1989. Alongside Hanford Dixon on the opposite side, they formed the league's top cornerback duo. Defensive coordinator Marty Schottenheimer often relied on single coverage for both, freeing the front seven to focus on stopping the run. Minnifield’s career peaked in 1988 when he received First-Team All-Pro honors, with Second-Team All-Pro recognition in 1987 and 1989.

Alongside Dixon, Minnifield helped birth a franchise identity when the two began barking at their defensive teammates during training camp drills. That energy spilled directly into the bleachers at Municipal Stadium, creating the legendary "Dawg Pound" culture that remains the heart and soul of the fan base to this day.

A severe knee injury limited Minnifield to just seven games in 1990, stripping away some of his signature suddenness. He fought through injuries over his final two campaigns, serving as a respected veteran leader before hanging up his pads after the 1992 season.

Across nine seasons spent entirely in Cleveland (1984–1992), Minnifield picked off 20 passes and recovered seven fumbles.  The team named him a Cleveland Browns Legend in 2005.